Nick, an EMSA Paramedic in Oklahoma City, got bit by the EMS bug as a teenager. He talks about switching dreams from firefighter to paramedic, helping people from all walks of life, and surprises he discovered along the way.
Nick has worked in other EMS agencies, and considers EMSA one of the best.
“It’s really a good place to start out. They really teach you,” he says. “It’s definitely a very demanding job. Rewarding as well, but definitely very demanding and very high-paced.”
What was the path you took to become a paramedic? How did you decide you wanted to be in EMS in the first place?
Senior year, my English teacher made our class write a paper about what we wanted to do once we graduated high school.
And I had no clue, so I started looking at things. I was like, “oh, it’d be cool to be a firefighter.” I started researching that, because in the paper we had to incorporate what it takes to become whatever you want to achieve, how much they make, long-term goals for that career, and stuff like that.
So I started looking at that, and I was like, “Oh, well, what’s the biggest department? Oklahoma City. What does it take to get into Oklahoma City? Okay, we gotta be EMTB, EMT Basic.”
And then I was like, “Well, it’s a lot easier to get on as a paramedic. Man, paramedics can do a lot of cool things! So they really help people.”
After I graduated high school, I enrolled in an EMT course, became an EMT, worked as an EMT, really enjoyed it, and then decided I wanted to become a paramedic. And now I’m a paramedic.
So yeah, I think I definitely enjoy the emergency medical side of it versus the fire side. I did dabble a little bit in volunteer fire, but I was not a fan.
So what surprised you the most about working as an EMT that you liked?
Being able to talk to people from all walks of life.
You touched on this a little bit. What makes your job fulfilling?
I really enjoy being able to help people. I enjoy being a part of people’s worst times and trying to make it better.
What initially drew you to EMSA?
The call volume and the resources that EMSA has. I wanted to be busy. I wanted to gain a lot of experience.
And they have fantastic resources. Not even just on the emergency medical side of it, but after calls also. So I’m just really a big fan of the resources that they have here.
What was it like when you first started working here?
It was a whole lot of information. Before here, I worked at a smaller department where I knew everyone. But here, it’s like you see a new face almost every day at work.
And then the system’s just so big. There’s so many different hospitals to go to as well. But I enjoy it.
What are some of the reasons why you’ve stayed at EMSA?
One of the main reasons would be the resources. I love that they’re there for you and they provide you with a whole lot of resources.
And then also the pay. This is probably one of the best paying places I’ve worked in EMS so far.
What sets EMSA apart as a place to work for paramedics?
The high call volume. It’s the busiest service in the state. So you run a lot of calls, you gain a lot of experience pretty quickly.
And then also having a fantastic clinical department. They’re there all the time, Monday through Friday. If you have any questions about anything, they’re more than happy to sit down, take time out of their day and teach you something that you’re not too familiar with.
Can you describe the pace at EMSA?
It’s definitely a very demanding job. Rewarding as well, but definitely very demanding and very high-paced.
Do you think that people support each other?
Absolutely, absolutely. I’ve never had a bad experience with another medic here.
Just running into them at the hospitals or even calling up for backup for additional resources and then getting on the scene. I’ve never had a bad experience here.
How does EMSA continue to support its employees?
They’ll get you set up with any resources that you need, specifically after tough calls.
And then another cool thing they do is they help you renew your license. They help you renew your license as a national registered paramedic. I’m required to get 60 hours of continuing education and credits and they have classes here and help you fulfill those hours.
What would you say to paramedics considering working for EMSA?
Do it. It’s really a good place to start out.
They teach you really well in the academy, teach you what to expect. It’s not like you get on and then just get thrown to the wolves.
They really set you up for success here. And then it’s a really good place to get a lot of experience.